The Camp Fire Girls in the Outside World

y one of you." And Polly O'Neill, with her cheeks flaming, rushed away from a gro

, Mr. Wharton, had insisted on being allowed to contribute to her support, and not to appear too ungracious both to her mother and to him, his offer had been accepted. Yet Polly did not consider herself any greater success in thus masquerading as a rich girl than she had been as a poor one. Was she never to be satisfied? Her school companions

ans for the future. And Polly, partly because she was in a contradictory mood and partly because she really wished it to be known, had boldly

ught of questions from which s

. Why, had they not worried her nearly to death simply because of her acquaintance with Miss Margaret Adams? For one day the great actress had driven up to the school and taken Polly fo

ooling down. Then with a book in her lap she planted herself in a low chair. The book was a collection of Camp Fire songs which Sylvia Wharton had

her thin shoulders drooped forward pathetically, and putting

t from those of her old life. Besides, had not Miss Adams advised that she spend several years away from Woodford in order to see more of the outside world and its myriad types of men and women? She could not ask to be allowed to come back home now, after the fight she had made to leave. Moreover, she was learning many things that might

t Frank Wharton would be at home and she and Frank had quarreled all the time that they had been in the house together during the past summer. And her mother and Mollie were so wrapped up in one an

e or from any one of their old Camp Fire circle had something admiring to say of her. And yet she and Mollie had always thought of their Princess as only a spoiled darling, beautiful and meant only for cherishing. Ah well, the Princess was real

t began with "b." This was Friday afternoon and she was free to do what she liked. Esther was living in a boarding house not far away, and she had not seen her in two weeks. And in all the world there was n

appointed. But the streets were so beautiful and alluring and there were so many people out! It was true that Polly had received permission only to call upon her friend, but what wrong could there be in her taking a walk? She had only to keep straight along Broadway and there could be

than she had ever been before, Polly stopped for a moment to look more closely at a group of girls. Most of them were several years older than herself. They were

eared so nervous and anxious. More than half of them had their faces rouged and powdere

them. Then, as they continued waiting and showed no sign of what they were waiting for, Polly O'Neill's curiosity overcame her good manners

ty once, yet already her face was haggard and she had circles under her big brown eyes. Unexpec

s one particular spot?" she inquired. "It is a cold day when one is still. And y

red listlessly. "And we have come sooner than we were tol

dly. "What kind of work is i

. "It's coming on to be Christmas time and the m

heard a faint noise at the door near which they were linge

. Her eyes were shining, her cheeks were crimson and her breat

, yes, any one can apply," she returned with a kind of hardness. And then she faile

o see inside a theatrical manager's office. It would be like placing the tips of one's toes on the promised land. Of course, Polly knew perfectly well that she was being reckless, only she would not allow herself time to consider this point of view. She would simp

n it. There they were told to wait until the manager could be free to speak to them. So Polly crowded herself into the farthest

would Miss Adams, for that matter, think of her? She was an actress herself; but of

r her remaining in this room unless she wished it. But just as she turned the knob the manager entered from the hal